ENGLISH

1. Corruption in far provinces is reported in the radio and TV. I don’t agree with the report, so I say:
a. No, it is not true.
b. Yes, it is true
c. Yes, it often is.
d. Yes, at times it is.

2. A platoon leader ordered his troop to proceed. Which reply shows full compliance?
a. Sir, yes, Sir!
b. Sir, we are about to go
c. Sir, Sir? Yes, Sir!
d. Sir, we are on leave.

3. The DepEd Secretary Admits that text messaging keeps parents aware of their children’s
whereabouts. He registered concern on the
effects on:
a. Spelling of words
b. Connect communication
c. Structural distortions
d. Vocabulary limitation

4. After hearing the campaign commercial, a voter remarked, “I am used to the same tales.” This
means:
a. This is very original
b. There is nothing new in the story
c. There is a miscommunication
d. Vocabulary limitation

5. What is the meaning of this statement. “History never cited a leaderless nation.”
a. Nations can survive without leaders
b. A leader can fade away, but another will come up
c. Leaders are always born
d. Leaders are matched with Historical events

6. Complete the statement using context clues. The flowers ________ in the spring.
a. Weaken
b. Die
c. Bloom
d. Wither

7. The Philippine Basketball Team lambasted the Lebanese Basketball Team. This sentence
means:
a. The Philippine Team welcomed the Lebanese
b. The Philippine Team beat the Lebanese
c. The Lebanese beat the Philippine Team
d. The Philippine Team helped the Lebanese Team

8. Traffic was heavy. Evann was afraid of not catching his flight so he ___________ with a taxi cab
and jumped at the door.
a. Catch-up
b. Caught-up
c. Was watching
d. Has caugh

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9. Traffic enforcers wear brightly colored vests for them to be __________ as possible.
a. Courteous
b. Covert
c. Conspicuous
d. Conscious

10. In the _________, we could rely on our government officials.

a. Pass
b. Past
c. Fast
d. Passed
11. The renaissance_____________ when scientific discoveries started:
a. Cited
b. Flourished
c. Ended
d. Commenced
12. This theory of language learning and literacy views children capable of relating new information
to prior knowledge.
a. Constructivist
b. Sociolinguist
c. Interactive
d. Reader Response
13. The activists exclaimed, “Join the mass demonstration!” What was asked of the listeners?
a. Sympathy for a cause
b. Willingness to listen
c. Pathy for a cause
d. Avoidance of group action
14. When a president is succeeded by another president, the former is referred to as:
a. Replaced
b. Elected
c. Deposed
d. Dethroned
15. Venus is an exemplification of feminine pulchritude. Pulchritude means:
a. Plain
b. Beauty
c. Ugliness
d. Homeliness

16. To HERALD primary economic and social innovations brought about by Science, means to:
a. End
b. Proclaim
c. Respond to
d. Encourage

17. Nowadays, mobile phone manufacturers have begun to AUTOMATE their assembly lines by
using the concept of robotics.
Automates means:
a. Assemble machines
b. Operate through machines
c. Produce more efficient cars
d. Operate through human workers

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18. The President is a LOQUACIOUS speaker. Loquacious means:
a. Taciturn
b. Reserved
c. Reticent
d. Verbose

19. There was a HIATUS of four years before she returned home to her country. Hiatus means:
a. Length
b. Lapse
c. Continuation
d. Un- interruption

20. The pain of having a fractured bone is EXCRUCIATING. Excruciating means:

a. Mild
b. Slight
c. Unbearable
d. Endurable

21. Play directors use live music accompaniment to _________ the dramatic performances of the
actors on stage.
a. Compliment
b. Correct
c. Complement
d. Contemplate

22. The suspect on the witness stand seems CULPABLE. The word culpable means:
a. Guilty
b. Blameless
c. Innocent
d. Pliable

23. The National Heroes Day Celebration reminds us about historical personalities worth ________.
a. Emanating
b. Appreciating
c. Studying
d. Emulating

24. He has a very erratic behavior. ERRATIC means:

a. Inconsistent
b. Stable
c. Normal
d. Predictable

25. If a thing doesn’t break that easy, it is:

a. Brittle
b. Ductile
c. Brilliant
d. Brisk

26. This one is made from ersatz coloring. ERSATZ means:

a. Real
b. Genuine
c. Authentic
d. Artificial

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27. Upon seeing anxious and uneasy guests, the master of the house exclaimed, “What are all
these HUBHUB about? HUBHUB can be
defined as:
a. Stillness
b. Hush
c. Commotion
d. Serenity

28. The president must be a HIGH- MINDED person. High-minded means:

a. Unprincipled
b. Mean
c. Corrupt
d. Honorable

29. The votes of the poor might seem FRIVOLOUS to you, but most of the time, they are the ones
who change election history.
a. Significant
b. Vital
c. Practical
d. Worthless

30. Government workers must deal with their clients ____________.

a. Covertly
b. Curtly
c. Rudely
d. Courteously

31. Her fondness of reading mystery novels and fairy tales made her __________.
a. Superstitious
b. Gullible
c. Easy-going
d. Trustworthy
32. The editor found the news story not so entertaining. He found it full of:
a. Adjectives
b. Verbs
c. Pronouns
d. Adverbs

33. Ebett and Evann were mischievous children. They ______ tricks of their teachers which always
got them into a lot of trouble.
a. Could have played
b. Used to play
c. Could play
d. May have played

34. Samantha’s eye are blurred and her hands cried. She _________ at the computer for 6 long
hours. Finally, she took a break.
a. was seated
b. has seated
c. would have seated
d. had been seated

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35. “When will Mr. Padilla retire?” “Soon, I think he ______ for a long time. He will probably retire
this year.”
a. Have been working
b. Had been working
c. Has been working
d. Is working

36. There are great movies that are worth watching once, there are some that are worth watching
twice, _________ there are movies
that are worth watching over and over again.
a. But
b. Still
c. And
d. Nevertheless

37. If I _________ rich, I would travel abroad every year.

a. Were
b. Am
c. Should be
d. Was

38. This seatwork is difficult for Paul and ____________.

a. Myself
b. I
c. Me
d. Himself

39. The candy cane smells ____________.

a. Sweet
b. Sweetly
c. Sweeter
d. More sweet

40. Whether or not a man likes what he ____________ is the measure of choosing well.
a. Choose
b. Has chosen
c. Chose
d. Is choosing

41. Which ED end sound is different?

a. Needed
b. Granted
c. Wanted
d. Signed

42. Which among these words has the ending [d] sound?
a. Joked
b. Laughed
c. Walked
d. Played

43. Which among these words has the [z] end sound?
a. Maps
b. Jokes
c. Laughs
d. Buys

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44. Which among these words has the [id] end sound?
a. Praised
b. Mailed
c. Judged
d. Needed

45. Which among these words has the [zh] end sound?
a. She
b. Excursion
c. Chips
d. Fish

46. “My loyalty to my party ends where my loyalty to my country begins.” This quotation is from:
a. Manuel L. Quezon
b. Carlos P. Garcia
c. Manuel A. Roxas
d. Ferdinand E. Marcos

47. “The Filipino is worth dying for.” This quotation by:

a. Benigno Aquino
b. Carlos P. Garcia
c. Jose Rizal
d. Fidel V. Ramos

48. “You see things that are and you ask why but I dream that never were and ask why not.”
a. Clear thinking
b. Immortality
c. Curiosity
d. Rich Imagination

49. The song “No man is an Island” mirrors:

a. Individualization
b. Solitude
c. Independence
d. Brotherhood

50. The space shuttle is as fast as the wind. This is an example of:
a. Simile
b. Metaphor
c. Personification
d. Antithesis

51. ____________ wrote “Without Seeing the Dawn”

a. Maximo Ramos
b. Steven Javellana
c. Paz M. Venitez
d. Magdalena Jalandoni

52. “She is the sun of my world.” This is an example of:

a. Simile
b. Metaphor
c. Hyperbole
d. Onomatopeia

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53. Who is the author of this famous quote: “I die just when the dawn breaks to herald the day.”
a. Benigno Aquino
b. Manuel L. Quezon
c. Jose Rizal
d. Andres Bonifacio

54. This Filipino author wrote about the ill-fated love affair of Jose Rizal and Leonor Rivera.
a. Arturo Rotor
b. Francisco Icasiano
c. Zoilo Galang
d. Nick Joaquin

55. “I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.” Which word should retain its pitch to
show confidence?
a. Am
b. Captain
c. Master
d. Fate

56. Read the following lines: “Midnight, not a sound from the pavement.
Has the moon lost its memory, She is smiling alone
In the lamp light the withered leaves, Collect at my feet, And the wind begins to moan.
These lines mean:
a. Confusion
b. Optimism
c. Loneliness
d. Eagerness

57. “Woe to every backbiter”--- Koran. This is about:

a. Sorrow for those who oppose other’s opinion
b. Punishment for those who say good things
c. Anguish for those who defend
d. Misery for those who talks ill of others

58. “The man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder… “Thomas Carlyle. From this line,
we can infer that:
a. There should be sufficient energy in one’s life
b. Direction can never come into one’s life
c. One’s life doesn’t need to be controlled
d. There is a strong driving force in one’s life

59. Which among the lines below has the same meaning as this statement; “Our commitments can
develop us or can destroy us, but
either way, they will define us.”
a. Flexible commitment is what we need today
b. We must make full commitment to worldly goals
c. Our lives are shaped by what we are committed to
d. Our commitments need not to be planned way ahead

60. “Have a good bank account, a good cook and a good digestion” Rousseau is pertaining to:
a. Security
b. Family
c. Duty
d. Investment

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ENGLISH RATIONALIZATION

1. A- Clearly, option A is the answer since that the rest of the options started with “Yes” which
contradicts the statement “I don’t agree with the report”.

2. A- Option A is the correct answer because it expresses full conviction- as proven by the
exclamation point.

3. B- At first glance one might think that the answer is A because the current issue against text
messaging is on spelling but if we look closely, the question is concerned about the children’s
whereabouts and totally not spelling.

4. B- The statement “I am used to the same tales” is a common idiomatic expression that connotes
discontent towards repeated actions or happenings. But if ever this is the first time you heard this
statement, you may use the phrase “used to” as a context clue.

5. D- Among the options given, A and C are the most unlikely, so we will just limit it to options B and
D. Option B talks about the never ending cycle of emerging leaders, while option D mentioned
things like “history”, “matched”, and “leaders”---thus, making D the correct answer.

6. C- This is an easy question to answer. We just have to think about the four seasons---Summer,
Fall, Winter, and Spring. Normally, flowers start dying during fall, and would totally wither during
winter. Flowers bloom normally during spring.

7. C- This question does not call for much thinking. Logic would tell us that the answer is indeed
option C because all the other options contradict what the given sentence tells about.

8. B- This question could also be under the Grammar section because this concerns consistency or
tense. The answer is B “caught-up” because clearly, the sentence is in the past tense and not in
the past progressive (was catching)--- because the action is not a continuing action in the past, nor
in the present tense (catch-up)--- because the other verbs in the statement are in the past tense,
and definitely not in the present perfect tense (has caught)---because the action is no longer
happening at present and at the same time it ended not in the very recent past.

9. C- This question could also be under Vocabulary section because this concerns semantics. By
using context clues, we can clearly and surely say that the answer is C “conspicuously”. The phrase
“brightly colored” greatly helps us in determining the correct answer. Webster defined
“conspicuously” as an adjective meaning “visible”--- and we all know that brightly colored vests are
used by those who want to be seen visibly.

10. B- This question is almost a give-away. The obvious answer is B “past” because the other
options are clearly not in any way connected or related to the statement.

11. D- In this particular question, we can immediately eliminate options A and C. We just have to
decide if which among B and D is the correct answer B “flourished’ could also be the answer, but if
we would think carefully, we should consider the clause “when the scientific discoveries started”
We just have to remember that scientific discoveries would have to be one of the reasons for the
“rebirth” and without those discoveries, the renaissance would not take place. Having said this, the
word “flourished” is no longer appropriate.

12. A- Constructivist is the answer because this theory is about constructing new knowledge based
on prior knowledge or schema.

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13. A- In this particular question we can immediately eliminate options C and D. B which
“willingness to listen” is not the answer because the statement “join the mass demonstration!”
does not only call for passive listening, but for active participation, or at least sympathy.

14. A- Among the choices, option B “elected” is the most unlikely. Option C “deposed” means to be
ousted or deprived rom office or official rank; option D “dethroned’ is considered a synonym of
“deposed” which leaves us to option A “replaced”---the most appropriate since that the sentence
states that the former president is not ousted but succeeded.

15. B- The answer is B because the word “pulchritude” means physical beauty and grace. But if
ever you have no idea about the dictionary definition of this word, you can use your context clues
abilities. The word “Venus” is the most helpful clue. As we all know Venus is the Roman goddess of
beauty---this fact will help us in determining the right answer.

16. B- The answer is B because “herald’ means to usher in or to proclaim. But if ever you have no
idea about the dictionary definition of this word, just think about one famous Christmas song that
goes like “hark the HERALD angel sing… “At times our prior knowledge about words is useful in
trying to derive meaning from a given word.

17. B- The answer is B because the word “automate” means to install or to convert to automation
equipment. Thus “to operate through machines” is indeed the best answer.

18. D- The answer is D because “reticent” (C) means reserved, “taciturn” (A) means habitually
silent, “reserved” (B) mean selfrestrained. Options A, B and C are almost synonymous, while D
“verbose” means wordy. It is also unlikely for a president to be reserved, since that being the head
of an organizations/ state requires a lot of verbal skills.

19. B- “Hiatus” means gap, and clearly option B, “lapse” is the nearest definition. But if you have
no idea about the dictionary meaning of “hiatus”, you may use your text clues abilities. By just
reading the statement you would have an idea that there is a gap of four years before the persona
was able to return to her country.

20. C- The word “excruciating” has always been an adjective to describe extreme pain. Having said
this, options A (mild), B(slight), and D (endurable) are not appropriate to be used in the given
statement about fractured bones.

21. C- At first reading, we can already eliminate options B and D. We just have to decide whether
“compliment” or “complement” is the most suitable answer “Compliment” means an expression of
admiration and praise, while “complement” means a thing that would complete the whole. Clearly,
the answer is indeed option C- “Complement”

22. A-“Culpable” means deserving of blame and censure. Given this definition, we can say that A-
“guilty” is the best answer. But if ever you have no idea about the dictionary definition of the word,
you may use your context clues abilities and try to consider the word “suspect” as your clue.

23. D- In this particular question, we can immediately eliminate options C (studying) and A
(emanating). We can just limit our choice to either B (appreciating) or D (emulating). But since the
statement is about heroes plus the fact that the word “worth” is present, option D “emulating”
which means to try to equal or surpass is indeed the best answer.

24. A-The word “erratic” means not conforming to standards. It could also mean irregular, thus
making option A “Inconsistent” the best answer.

9 | ENGLISH – LET REVIEWER September 24, 2017

25. B-This is a give-away question, but you must read it carefully. The answer is B “ductile”
because if a material is ductile, it can be hammered into thin layers without being broken into
pieces.

26. D- “Ersatz” means substitute. Given this definition, we can say that the closest word to
“substitute” is option D---“artificial” But if ever you don’t have any idea about the dictionary
definition, you can easily answer this question by choosing the word that doesn’t go along with the
other options. In this particular item all of the options are quite synonymous except option D.

27. C-Without even knowing what the word “hubhub” means, since that most of the dictionaries
don’t have this word on their list, we can use the classification method in determining the best
answer. Among the choices, option C-“commotion” is the only one not synonymous to the other
options given, making it the correct and best answer.

28. D- This question is again a give-away. Even without using the dictionary, we can easily answer
this particular item by just looking at the set of options. Option D “honorable” is the answer
because among the choices given, it is the only one that is positive.

29. D-The word “frivolous” means void of significance and reason. It could also mean trivial or
unimportant. That is why option D “worthless” is the best answer.

30. D-The answer is “courteously” because among the choices given, this is the only attribute that
is expected from a government employee.

31. B- “gullible” is the answer because normally, fairy tales and mystery novels have plots that are
too fancy to believe in---making readers believe in the impossible and at times in the “illogical”

32. C-The answer is “pronoun” because all other given options are content words. Content words
are those that carry meaning-nouns, verbs, adverbs, and adjectives are samples of this. On the
other hand functions words are those that don’t have any meaning if isolated with the content
words---preposition, conjunctions, and pronouns are samples of this. In addition, function words
are just there to give support to content word , and so, a sentence filled with function words would
be normally dull.

33. B-“used to” is the answer because this phrase connotes an action that was done consistently
in the past while the other options that used modals such as could and may connotes ability and
possibility.

34. B-This items concerns tense. The answer “has seated” is in the present perfect tense and it
truly fits the thought of the sentence. Remember that the present perfect tense connotes actions
that started in the past and would have two possible outcomes---(1) still happening, (2) recently
ended. In the sentence “She________ at the computer for 6 long hours”, we are not certain if the
subject is still using the computer. You might confuse this to be under the past perfect tense
because of the sentence that followed. “Finally, she took a break”, remember that if the two
independent clauses are not separated by a period like “She_______ at the computer for 6 long
hours before she finally took a break” then we must use the past perfect tense. But in this item
there are three separate sentences.

35. C-The answer is “has been working” because the subject is singular, that is why we can’t use
have. We must not also use had because it is only used in sentences in the past perfect or past
perfect progressive tenses.

36. C-“and” is the answer because we are just merely enumerating things.

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37. A-The sentence in this item is an “If clause” and so the tense must be consistent. It is also
unlikely for us to use “was” or “am” for it has always been “If I were…”

38. C-Remember that “I” is used as the subject or the doer of the action, while “me” is used as the
receiver of the action. In the sentence given in this item the pronoun is the receiver of the action
and that is why “me” is the answer.

39. A-Always remember that verbs of senses may take two forms, (1) as a linking verb, or as a (2)
action verb. If it functions as a linking verb, then it must be followed by an adjective. On the other
hand, if it functions as an action verb, then it must be followed by an adverb. In this sentence,
since that candy cane is not capable of moving, we can say that “smells” functions as a linking
verb, so it must be followed by the adjective “sweet”

40. B-The answer is “has chosen” because the sentence states a condition that’s started in the
past and still true at present

41. D-“signed” is the answer because it only has one syllable and that affected its ending /ed/
sound.

42. D-“played” is the answer because all other words are with /t/ end sounds.

43. D-“buys” is the answer because all other given words end with /s/ sounds “b u y s” ends with
/z/ sound because the sound before the letter “s” is voiced

44. D-“needed” is the answer because among the given options it is the only one with more than
one syllable-that changed the ending /ed/ sound to /id/

45. B-“excursion” is the answer because all the other options have either /ch/ or /sh/ sounds

46. A-Is the answer because the quotation given is one Manuel L. Quezon’s most famous.

47. A-is the answer because the quotation given is one of Benigno Aquino’s most famous quotes,
plus the fact that this quotation can be found on our 500 peso bill.

48. D-“curiosity” and “rich imagination” would be our two possible answers, but D is better than C
because asking “why” is being curious, while asking “why not” is being imaginative.

49. D-“Brotherhood” is the answer because all the other options are its antonyms.

50. A-The answer is simile because the statement compared two objects using the word “as”

51. B-Stevan Javellana

52. B-The statement given is a direct comparison, that is why the answer is metaphor

53. C-Jose Rizal

54. D-Nick Joaquin

55. A-“Am” is the answer because being a verb of being nit connotes a statement of condition.

56. C-These lines were taken from the musical “cats” and if we are to read/sing these lines,
loneliness would be the obvious emotion.

57. D-is the best answer because all the other options debunk the main statement.

11 | ENGLISH – LET REVIEWER September 24, 2017

58. D-is the most appropriate answer because all other options are not in anyway related to the
quotation and some options debunk the statement.

59. C-Because option C somewhat states that our commitments would describe and determine the
person that we are.

60. A-“Security” is the answer because all the options given constitute to it. Option A embraces the
importance of “family”, “duty”, and “investment

12 | ENGLISH – LET REVIEWER September 24, 2017

ENGLISH GRAMMAR REVIEWER
RULES AND APPLICATIONS
SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

Basic Rule
The basic rule states that a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a
plural verb.

NOTE: The trick is in knowing whether the subject is singular or plural. The next trick is recognizing
a singular or plural verb.

Hint: Verbs do not form their plurals by adding an s as nouns do. In order to determine which verb
is singular and which one is plural, think of which verb you would use with he or she and which
verb you would use with they.

Example: talks, talk

Which one is the singular form? Which word would you use with he? We say, "He talks." Therefore,
talks is singular. We say, "They talk." Therefore, talk is plural.
Rule 1
Two singular subjects connected by 'or' or 'nor' require a singular verb.

Example: My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.

Rule 2
Two singular subjects connected by 'either/or' or 'neither/nor' require a singular verb as in Rule 1.

Examples: Neither Juan nor Carmen is available. Either Kiana or Casey is helping today with stage
decorations.
Rule 3
When I is one of the two subjects connected by 'either/or' or 'neither/nor', put it second and follow
it with the singular verb am.

Example: Neither she nor I am going to the festival.

Rule 4
When a singular subject is connected by 'or' or 'nor' to a plural subject, put the plural subject last
and use a plural verb.

Example: The serving bowl or the plates go on that shelf.

Rule 5
When a singular and plural subject are connected by 'either/or' or 'neither/nor', put the plural
subject last and use a plural verb.

Example: Neither Jenny nor the others are available.

Rule 6
As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by 'and'.

Example: A car and a bike are my means of transportation.

Rule 7
Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by words such as 'along with, as well as,
besides, or not'. Ignore these expressions when determining whether to use a singular or plural
verb.

Examples: The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly. Excitement, as well as
nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.
Rule 8
The pronouns 'each, everyone, every one, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, and somebody'
are singular and require singular verbs. Do not be misled by what follows 'of'.

13 | ENGLISH – LET REVIEWER September 24, 2017

Examples: Each of the girls sings well. Every one of the cakes is gone.
NOTE: Everyone is one word when it means everybody. Every one is two words when the meaning is
each one.
Rule 9
With words that indicate portions—percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all, none, remainder, and
so forth —look at the noun in your 'of' phrase (object of the preposition) to determine whether to
use a singular or plural verb. If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the
object of the preposition is plural, use a plural verb.

Examples: Fifty percent of the pie has disappeared. Pie is the object of the preposition of. Fifty
percent of the pies have disappeared. Pies is the object of the preposition. One-third of the city is
unemployed. One-third of the people are unemployed.

NOTE: Hyphenate all spelled-out fractions.

All of the pie is gone. All of the pies are gone. Some of the pie is missing. Some of the pies are
missing. None of the garbage was picked up.
None of the sentences were punctuated correctly. Of all her books, none have sold as well as the
first one.
Rule 10
The expression 'the number' is followed by a singular verb while the expression 'a number' is
followed by a plural verb.

Examples: The number of people we need to hire is thirteen. A number of people have written in
about this subject.
Rule 11
When 'either' and 'neither' are subjects, they always take singular verbs.

Examples: Neither of them is available to speak right now. Either of us is capable of doing the job.
Rule 12
The words here 'and' there have generally been labeled as adverbs even though they indicate
place. In sentences beginning with here or there, the subject follows the verb.

Examples: There are four hurdles to jump. There is a high hurdle to jump.
Rule 13
Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time.

Examples: Ten dollars is a high price to pay. Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.
Rule 14
Sometimes the pronoun 'who, that, or which' is the subject of a verb in the middle of the sentence.
The pronouns who, that, and which become singular or plural according to the noun directly in
front of them. So, if that noun is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.

Examples: Salma is the scientist who writes/write the reports. The word in front of who is scientist,
which is singular. Therefore, use the singular verb writes. He is one of the men who does/do the
work. The word in front of who is men, which is plural. Therefore, use the plural verb do.
Rule 15
Collective nouns such as team and staff may be either singular or plural depending on their use in
the sentence.

Examples: The staff is in a meeting.

Staff is acting as a unit here. The staff are in disagreement about the findings. The staff are acting
as separate individuals in this example. The sentence would read even better as: The staff
members are in disagreement about the findings.

14 | ENGLISH – LET REVIEWER September 24, 2017